JJ SLEVIN took the riding plaudits at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day as he helped himself to the first two races on the festive card.
Liz Doyle booked the 7lb claimer for Last Goodbye in the two and a half mile beginners’ chase. Punters obviously liked the combination as the five-year-old gelding’s odds tumbled from 8/1 in the morning to 7/2 joint-favourite on the off.
Slevin settled him behind the leaders before the pair pounced to lead on the run-in. A length victory was secured for the Last Goodbye Syndicate.
“He jumped brilliantly and travelled well. We went an even enough gallop,” Slevin said. “He would have been an unlucky enough loser. When Keith Donoghue unseated (on Moonshine Lad) down the back, I was on the inner and had nowhere to go and got shuffled back.
“He’s coming on - that’s his third race over fences and he was second to Disko (in Punchestown).”
Slevin successfully teamed up with Moonlone Lad in the Adam & Ann Armstrong Memorial Handicap Chase over two and a half miles.
The nine-year-old gelding was in contention when unseating at Bangor earlier this month. He grabbed the lead in this assignment at the eighth fence and saw off a challenge from Paper Lantern to win by a length at 8/1.
Trainer Paul Stafford said: “He was going well in Bangor. It was probably a lesser race. He takes a while to get to his peak but he was at his peak today.
“He finished third in this race last year under Lorna Brooke. I tried to bring Lorna over again but she had a fall in the week which aggravated a wrist injury. He does run well for girls.
“I got JJ at the last minute. He gave him a lovely ride as he doesn’t need to be bullied, just kidded along. The owner, Michael Keegan, led him up and is a pal of mine. He lives in Phibsboro, Dublin.”
Foxrock was the class act at the fixture. This time last year he finished third in the Grade 1 Lexus Steeplechase at Leopardstown.
The surroundings were different as he contested the Silks @downroyal Hunters Chase for Ted and Katie Walsh. The 2/1 favourite made headway to lead at the third last and asserted before the final fence. A winning margin of nine lengths was recorded by Barry Connell’s charge.
Katie Walsh said: “He jumped well. He was very safe but he’s not as quick through the air as the others. He had loads in the tank at the business end, he has plenty of ability.
“He’s given us some great days and he’s a highly-rated chaser. We were looking for a big run today and I think he delivered.”
Grand Jesture refused to race and afterwards the stewards found trainer Jim Dreaper in breach of Rule 212(b) and suspended Grand Jesture from running for 21 days.
This was the first time Grand Jesture had refused to race for Dreaper but the third time the horse had done so in his career.
Gordon Elliott continued to annex races in the north as The Storyteller and Broken Soul gave him a double.
The Storyteller was easy to back but dominant in the extended EBF two-mile, three-furlong maiden hurdle. Keith Donoghue steered the even-money favourite into the lead at the penultimate hurdle and the pair won easily by nine lengths.
Donoghue, in local owner Pat Sloan’s distinctive colours, said: “He was entitled to do it, he travelled very well and jumped brilliantly. He had the experience.
“Gordon was very confident and we thought he was the banker of the day. I’d say he’ll definitely step up and turn into a nice horse.”
Broken Soul got off the mark at the eighth time of asking when staying on strongly to take the two-mile Bet with the Tote Bumper by four and a half lengths.
An equipment change made all the difference according to jockey Jamie Codd who said: “The addition of the tongue tie helped.
“He probably hasn’t been seeing out his races but with the tongue tie he did and we are delighted.” He was returned 5/2 joint favourite for Gigginstown House Stud.
Elliott also trained the runner-up Oakley Hall on whom jockey Cian Collins picked up a one-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency.
Backinthesaddle landed a bit of a touch in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle as his price contracted from 16/1 to 10/1.
Niall Kelly brought him into contention at the second last before a narrow lead was established at the final flight. He kept on well to fend off a determined challenge from 5/1 favourite Broughtons Star by half a length.
Handler Benjamin Arthey said: “He disappointed the last day but his first run for us in Ayr was great (when fifth). I knew if he was back to his first run he was a penalty kick.
“I haven’t a horse that could go with him. He is in at Punchestown on Saturday but we’ll see what the handicapper does.
“He’s the first winner I’ve trained for owners Raymond Scullion and Martin McGrogan from Portglenone. They are great sporting owners.”
Gigginstown also enjoyed a double as Calino D’airy (8/1) delivered in the Enda Bell Maiden Hurdle.
Dylan Robinson sent him into an early lead but 11/8 favourite Turbojet loomed large approaching two out. Try as Turbojet did though, he couldn’t quite reel in Henry de Bromhead’s winner and finished a neck away in second.
Robinson said: “He galloped away and battled on. He can go long at them. He will definitely get further.”
The winner survived a stewards’ enquiry into possible interference to the runner-up on the run-in.
ACTING STEWARDS
R Martin, Dr J.F Gillespie, L. McFerran, J. Hunt, M.F. O’Donoghue
HORSE TO FOLLOW
CASTLEHUME (G Elliott): He ran well in his first handicap to press the leaders in third. Looks to be on a decent mark.